Disability Types - Mental Health Disabilities

This self-paced online training aims to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and practical skills to recognize, accommodate, and communicate effectively with patients who have mental health disabilities. Through interactive modules, participants will learn to differentiate between psychological, psychiatric, and behavioral conditions, implement individualized accommodations, foster patient-centered care, and confidently address crisis situations—all while advancing legal compliance and promoting equity-focused, inclusive healthcare practices.

Target Audience

This course is designed for nurse practitioners, nurses, and other health care professionals who seek improved quality of care for the patients.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Define the characteristics and classifications of mental health disabilities, including psychological, psychiatric, and behavioral conditions.
  • Identify and access commonly used accommodation tools and strategies tailored for patients with mental health disabilities.
  • Analyze the impact of mental health disabilities on healthcare delivery, including potential barriers and system-level implications.
  • Differentiate and implement effective communication techniques when interacting with patients who have mental health disabilities.
  • Navigate and utilize appropriate institutional and external resources, including the Disabilities Resource Center (DRC), to support patient care.
  • Integrate acquired knowledge into clinical practice by managing real-world scenarios involving patients with mental health disabilities, with increased confidence in addressing sensitive issues such as suicidality.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 1.00 Attendance
Course opens: 
09/25/2025
Course expires: 
09/25/2028
Part of: 
UPMC Disabilities Resources Center Training

Planning Committee:
Matthew S. Berwick, ADAC - Senior Program Manager, Disability Accomidations for Clinical Services, Disabilities Resource Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Course Directors:
Kaitlin A Kerr, RN, MSN - Clinical Educator for Disability Awareness - Disabilities Resources Center at UPMC

Conflict of Interest Disclosure:
No planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

The information presented at this CME program represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses.

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In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 1.0 contact hours.

Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 1.00 Attendance
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